Swirl it into an eton mess, top the perfect pavlova, fancify the ultimate cheese board, and garnish your g&t with fresh berries, because that’s the right way to adult.
So, pack your floppy sun hat and slap on some sunscreen because it’s time to get picking.
VIC
Blue Hills Berries & Cherries
The variety at Blue Hills Berries & Cherries is incredible. Choose from raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, boysenberries, youngberries, blueberries and loganberries to get your berry fix (are we saying berry a lot?). It’s a $10 entry fee, but the price includes eating as many berries you want while you pick. Pay for your produce and drive down the road to the Silvan Reservoir for a picnic with a view.
Where: 27 Parker Rd, Silvan
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5_4kMUA1nc/
Buninyong Blueberry Farm
Claiming to be ‘one of Victoria’s earliest blueberry farms’, with plants that are over 30 years old. The folks over at Buninyong in Ballarat produce blueberries free from sprays or chemicals so you can be sure you’ll get only the best. Make sure to plan your trip because the pick your own sessions are normally from late January to early March. They’ll provide you with a bucket to pick to your heart’s content.
Where: 7189 Midland Highway, Buninyong
https://www.facebook.com/BuninyongBlueberryFarm/photos/a.547666151986694/2736344329785521/
NSW
Brackenridge Berries
Up on NSW’s Mid-North Coast lies Brackenridge Berries. A small pesticide-free blueberry farm that’s been open since 1990. Unfortunately, the drought caused them to cancel their most recent picking season, but fingers crossed that 20/21 brings a fruitful bounty to their farm!
Once you’ve done your picking for the day, drive down the road to the Waitui Falls for a refreshing swim and picnic (no doubt that you’ll probably finish your blueberries well before you leave).
Where: 355 Waitui Road, Waitui
Clyde River Berry Farm
These folks will agree, nothing tastes better than those fresh hand-picked berries on a warm summer day. If you’re road tripping down towards Batemans Bay, stop by the Clyde River Berry Farm. Grab a berry bucket and wander through the crops to spot the freshest of the lot. Blueberries are the main berry to grow here, but if you’re lucky you might be able to spot some raspberries and blackberries on your next visit.
Where: Lot 22 River Road, Mogood
https://www.facebook.com/1381017858822015/photos/a.1515957651994701/2517624725161317/
QLD
Fruit Forest Farm
Looking for something a little more exotic? Fruit Forest Farm has got you covered. You’ll find the exotic Pitaya, commonly known as Dragon Fruit. A leathery-feeling berry that brings out such a sweet flavour in any dish. This farm is right in the middle of Townsville and Cairns, so if you’re thinking of doing a quick trip up towards the top of Australia, you might want to refresh yourself along the way with a quick visit here. P.S. you even get an exotic fruit drink upon arrival (score).
Where: 669 East Feluga Road, East Feluga
https://www.instagram.com/p/CD8qqjSJ22L/
Ashbern Farms
Just off New England Highway is Ashbern Farms. Move your way through the patch and pick out the juiciest looking ones. If you’ve tired yourself out, head inside to the café and try some of their delicious homemade ice cream, waffles, chocolate-dipped strawberries and scones. The perfect afternoon is a short drive away.
Where: 2 West Road, Stanthorpe
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB7e3xyp23p/
TAS
Hillwood Berries Farmgate
Located on the north side of Tassie, Hillwood Berries is home to vast fields (almost 38 hectares) filled with berry vines where you can help yourself to strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. This is the perfect spot to hit up for some post-exploring berries to munch on. Pop into their shop to purchase some homemade jams, sauces or wines produced from their own berries.
Where: 105 Hillwood Road, Hillwood
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB39UFxnE28/
SA
Beerenberg
The Beerenberg Farm has been running since 1975 and is an iconic part of Adelaide. Plenty of locals head there on a yearly basis to collect their freshly picked strawberries. From November to April you can spend your day picking in the patch and if you take a couple of Instagram shots with their hashtag, you might just win a box of Beerenberg treats.
Where: 2106 Mount Barker Rd, Hahndorf
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-daTz9Ftpl/
Harvest the Fleurieu
When you step out onto the fields at Harvest the Fleurieu, you’ll see strawberry patches for miles. These kind people recommend that you try before you buy, spend a whole day wandering through the fields to find the absolute freshest and juiciest of the bunch. Pop over to their market hall after and check out the local suppliers and their fresh produce and cute knick-knacks.
Where: 2256 Victor Harbor Rd, Mt Compass
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhuvWbEAz1D/
WA
Sue & Tim’s Fresh Farms
A community gem in Wanneroo is Sue & Tim’s Fresh Farms, where they’re boasting strawberries that are the size of your hand. You can bet they’re just as delicious as their pictures. And if you’re up for it, purchase their white fresh flesh dragonfruits for something a little different.
Where: 157 Badgerup Road, Wanneroo
https://www.facebook.com/suetimsfreshfarms/photos/a.710988635905217/712301735773907/
Make sure to check each location before you head off. Due to recent bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and drought, some farms may be more affected than others and might close earlier in the season than usual.
